Yeah, so with the recent things that have been on the board about wal-mart taking the beloved blue foam off the market, I figure it's high time to start a sticky here that will allow people to get foam from other places. Last updated 03/29/09Weapons building supply sites

Post in this thread with additional places to get foam/tape/cores/glue for building weapons from and I'll post it here, if you have something to say about the site or business you can post this and if i feel it is going to help people I'll put it up here as well. If you have information about the strengths and weaknesses of said foam/glue/tape/core please also post it and we will get a wonderful resource here. (feel free to link to past threads, preferably with a summary of said thread).

_________________House HellhammerDefender of the SteinThe Psycho with the FlailKnight of Wolfpack"Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall."- Confucius

Ok, so, I know this is a stupid question... but what kind of foam do I want from http://www.foamforyou.com/ ? I assume I want the stuff in the Closed Cell section, and then POLYETHYLENE, and since they don't have 3/8" do I want 1/4"? And what Density? 2.3?

_________________Creativity is KeyThe truth begs for scrutiny, but lies beg for tolerance.

Ok, so, I know this is a stupid question... but what kind of foam do I want from http://www.foamforyou.com/ ? I assume I want the stuff in the Closed Cell section, and then POLYETHYLENE, and since they don't have 3/8" do I want 1/4"? And what Density? 2.3?

Blue foam (the Wal-Mart stuff) is 7/16, not 3/8, so I'd guess that you would need to go with 1/2-inch. I don't see why 1/4-inch wouldn't work, but the amount of layers you would have to DAP together to make a single sword would be a serious pain in the butt, especially if you try to make a red weapon. I wouldn't go thicker than 1/2" though, because then the foam will be too stiff to wrap the final layer. (or the blade layers if you wrap all of them)

As for what density of polyethylene you would need, I have no idea. I'd like to know that myself.

Also coming up in a bit; where we get cores from (online and offline), what kinds of glue to use for different purposes and where to get said glue,what kinds of tape to use for differing purposes, what not to use for specific purposes, and where to get it.

Yes i know this is going to become a big list etc, but I figure it will help newer people get a grip on how/what we make without having to go there and show them (yes this would be preferable, but I don't have that much time or money to go to random places in the country).

_________________House HellhammerDefender of the SteinThe Psycho with the FlailKnight of Wolfpack"Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall."- Confucius

As many of us that are experienced with foamsmithing know there are many types of kitespar, what kind did you get, and if you don't mind what other types that are decent for building weapons can you get from that site?

_________________House HellhammerDefender of the SteinThe Psycho with the FlailKnight of Wolfpack"Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fall."- Confucius

Edit: Unless, that is, you're referring to the graphite variants. Around here kitespar refers to hollow fiberglass. Graphite is just graphite, although it does get used in kite making. Here's a link to all the various spars on kitebuilder and a short description of each:

I recently ordered one 6' and two 5' bandshoppe poles from Woodwind Brasswind. While I got the two 5' poles very quickly, there was some delay in them shipping the 6' pole. Lo and behold, about two weeks later, here it is.

Along with four other 6' poles that I was not charged for. Shipping was also free, since my initial order was over the amount that they had specified at the time.

I don't know if they do the free shipping for orders over $X anymore, though, and I'm sure that the extra four poles they sent me were probably an accident. Either way, the prices seemed fair to me. Now if I can just decide on where to get my foam. I haven't built a weapon in ages.

I don't know if they do the free shipping for orders over $X anymore, though, and I'm sure that the extra four poles they sent me were probably an accident. Either way, the prices seemed fair to me. Now if I can just decide on where to get my foam. I haven't built a weapon in ages.

Yes they still do free shipping over $99. I found a line graph once that showed WWBW as the cheapest for band poles.

Actually, the offer I got was free shipping for orders over something like $30. I think it may have been a limited time deal. Essentially, I ended up with seven poles for the price of three, with no shipping charges.

Yeah, they did free shipping for orders over $30 for some holiday a bit back, but i'm almost positive its over $99 now. Still a good deal, you only have to order 8 to make it over that amount. Pool in with some friends and save a lot of monies.

EDIT: Nevermind about the foam. I just got my shipment, and it's not blue foam at all. It's actually some light green stuff that's too frail to be used for the bulk of the weapon. Perhaps I'll find some other use for it.

If sending away for band-pole is a bit outside your budget and you are looking for a good core for a 5 ft. or so weapon. You can look for fiberglass handled rakes at any hardware store/wal-mart. While they are rarely more than 5 ft. long, all you have to do is saw off the metal rake head and you have something similar to band-pole except lighter and not quite as indestructible.

im trying to find more out about the fiberglass/kitespar/ w/e =P to help my searching for it. Im guessing the .505 is 1/2" and somewhat similar to the edhellen cores? Either way, what is the .505 best for? I mean, swords <36" or? Sorry just trying to get an idea. Most every core ive used that wasnt pvc has been aquired over the years. =P We used the 3/8" electric fence posts from Tractor Supply but anything over 30ish tends to hella-flex (even if a couple of a friends who were 38inches still passed at Rag every day no question...) Going to try TSC to see if they have anything closer to 1/2". Thanks in advance.

_________________Kai, Captain of Wargar, Squire to Sir Lotek. Work it Harder, Make it Better, Do it Faster, Makes us Stronger, More than Ever, Hour after Our Work is Never Over...

.505" is indeed just over half an inch. I'm not quite sure on the max for this length, but I have an overall 41" sword made out of .505 and it's not even close to flex. I would think, depending on weight, it should be alright for most blue weapons.

If you swing really hard, you might consider just going with the .602 kitespar as it's significantly stronger.

_________________- Derian -

"An octopus has eight arms, three hearts, five *, two Super Bowl rings, a beak, and the power to solve crimes."

Can I get some links and more specific info for marine foam and any other high end open cell foams for stabbing? A link is good, but the stuff I should order is great.

Seconded

Thirded

_________________Battering Ram of Chaos Wars 13, Subaltern and Siege Master of Clan of the Hydra, King of Khazad Dum, Dwarven Lord of the Salt Mines, Order of the Soup Can, Potion Master of the Mountain, Squire to The Great Sir Kyrian Hawksword.

I've recently been going to Memory Express and picking up free foam. I'm sure other computer stores would hand it out too if you ask at the parts desk, (they normally throw it out.)

The problem is you're not getting a specific product. In open cell foam there seems to be at least 3 densities of gray foam, (2 of which are too soft to use even for stabbing tips, the 3rd works I find), and I've also picked up white foam, (about the same as the best of the gray foam) and light blue foam, (very high density haven't tried it yet but should be great for stabbing tips.)

Also they have given me some plasticy foam, (in white and pink, different densities/thicknesses) that MIGHT work for blade layers... I haven't tried it yet and it's not quite as dense as the camp pad, (and it is stiffer.)

Beggars can't be choosers and it is free but it would be nice if we got some feedback on what types of computer foam work and what don't.

I found my fiberglass rods at D&B Supply (I'm in the NW), at 1.69 for 3/8, 2.79 for 1/2 and 5.99 for 11/16, but the 11/16 was drilled - Doesn't flex too much for my friend's greatsword though, we just made sure the blade was aligned with the holes rather than the flat. They also have amazing rope and good leather gloves.

I've found that a layer of yoga mat foam at the end of the blade (outside of the blue foam) works alright for a blue stabby, and two layers will almost definitely pass (for blue). Should be cheaper than a lot of marine foams... just buy one used from somebody who took a yoga class and isn't interested anymore. I got one mat free, and another for $9.

We should add http://www.bestdagstuff.comHe is just getting the show rolling, but I got some stuff from him already and the service was great from someone who knows what we need and what we intend to use it for. I think he will have a full line of foam and cores available soon. I just got square cores, tape and arrow foam.

_________________http://www.antirdearg.comA fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity.-- Sigmund Freud, General Introduction to Psychoanalysis

I don't have hobbies, I'm just developing a robust post-apocalyptic survival skillset.

So I had an idea for a new core type, it's a plastic that is used as a replacement for metals where weight is a concern, airplanes or gearing etc. It is supposed to be very strong and lightwieght and this site:

has it for about $0.50 a foot in rods, but they have a small order fee for anything under $50.00. Since I don't want to spend fifty bucks on an experimental core, I was wondering if anyone has tried either Acetal copolymer or acetal polymer cores, also known as delrin or polyacetal.If so, how good is it and what diameter do you prefer?

So I had an idea for a new core type, it's a plastic that is used as a replacement for metals where weight is a concern, airplanes or gearing etc. It is supposed to be very strong and lightwieght and this site:

has it for about $0.50 a foot in rods, but they have a small order fee for anything under $50.00. Since I don't want to spend fifty bucks on an experimental core, I was wondering if anyone has tried either Acetal copolymer or acetal polymer cores, also known as delrin or polyacetal.If so, how good is it and what diameter do you prefer?

ARRAKIS! There's numbers and stuff! You could probably take a look at that and let us know if this stuff is like money and sex combined for cores.

_________________King of DunharrowCommander of Clan of the HydraBiggy Biggy JRather Large JamesJames of Enviable GirthJimmington

This may be a bit apples and oranges since McMaster doesn't specify their testing methodology, nor do I know if their fiberglass rods are magically stronger than normal, but comparing those delrin stats to McMasters for a 3/8" 5' solid round fiberglass rod it doesn't look good.